Otter Tail County, Minnesota

Otter Tail County Commissioner District 2

Gontarek and Johnson are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Otter Tail County election filings.

About this race

2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Otter Tail County Commissioner District 2, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.

What this office does

County commissioner. The county board is the county's legislative and, in most states, executive body. Commissioners adopt the county budget and property tax rate, oversee roads, the jail, public health, planning and zoning in unincorporated areas, and appoint or confirm department heads. In counties with an elected county executive or judge, the board's role is mainly the budget and ordinances.

This race. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Wayne D. Johnson, is on the ballot.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

Minnesota › Otter Tail County › Otter Tail County Commissioner District 2

Jeff Gontarek

Nonpartisan

Top priorities

From the campaign site

Fiscal accountability and property taxes
Strong rural communities
Public safety and accountability

Biography

Jeff Gontarek has lived in Otter Tail County since 1975 and graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1985, per the campaign site. The campaign site says he spent more than 30 years in public service, including over 25 years with Otter Tail County as a correctional officer, water patrol officer, community service specialist and DWI Court surveillance and training officer, and now works in real estate.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Wayne D. Johnson

NonpartisanIncumbent

Top priorities

From the campaign site

Investing in roads, bridges, and infrastructure
Supporting public safety and emergency services
Growing the local economy and workforce and expanding housing opportunities

Biography

Wayne D. Johnson is the incumbent Otter Tail County Commissioner for District 2 and serves as the board's Vice Chair, per Fergus Now, which reported his 2024 Transportation Advocate Award. He filed for another term in 2026 against Jeff Gontarek and Kyle Lehmann.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotOtter Tail County Sheriff

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Otter Tail County Commissioner District 2 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Otter Tail County Commissioner District 2 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Jeff Gontarek and Wayne D. Johnson. Candidate information follows official Otter Tail County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Otter Tail County Commissioner District 2 election in Minnesota?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Minnesota are on the Minnesota election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Otter Tail County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Otter Tail County and state election office filings, last verified October 4, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Minnesota election office, or see the full Otter Tail County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Otter Tail County ballot

26 tracked races in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Otter Tail County Attorney Otter Tail County Soil and Water Supervisor District 2 (East)Otter Tail County Soil and Water Supervisor District 3 (East)See all 26 Otter Tail County races

Candidate profiles

Jeff Gontarek, full profile Wayne D. Johnson, full profile Official Minnesota election office